2 probable cases of swine flu in N.C.

Staff and wire reports

Published: Friday, May 1, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 10:14 p.m.

RALEIGH — There are two probable cases of swine flu in North Carolina, the state’s health director said Thursday as more than 100 new specimens poured into the lab for testing. The probable cases came from Onslow and Wake counties, according to the state health department.

Meanwhile, Henderson County officials continued behind the scenes preparation for an influenza pandemic. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the influenza pandemic alert level to Phase 5, meaning a pandemic is imminent.

“We are responding to concerns on the international, national and state level, and we are in a heightened state of awareness locally,” said Linda Weldon, RN, communicable disease supervisor at the Henderson County Department of Public Health. “We are continuing to meet and consult with local health care providers to identify possible cases in the county.”

The CDC’s case definition of H1N1 flu (swine flu) includes travel to a country or state with confirmed cases or contact with someone who is infected with H1N1 flu.

“A person with respiratory symptoms doesn’t meet the case definition unless they also meet the travel criteria or have been exposed to someone with H1N1 flu,” said Weldon. “We’re in the middle of allergy season and having the sniffles isn’t a cause for alarm.”

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include fever (greater than 100°F), sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, head and body aches, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Severe illness, including pneumonia and respiratory failure and deaths, has been reported with H1N1 flu infection. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. People who have flu-like symptoms should not go to emergency departments or doctor’s offices just for testing. They should call their physician first to ask for advice. This will reduce the chances for transmission in health care settings.

Specimens sent for testing

North Carolina State Health Director Dr. Jeffrey Engel said the specimens from the Onslow and Wake counties have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which could confirm the cases in the coming days.

“We’re in for a marathon here,” Engel said.

Engel told reporters the patient in Onslow County recently traveled to Texas. He did not have any information on the Wake County case, except to say the person was a traveler who did not live in North Carolina.

While state labs have the ability to determine whether nasal swabs from patients are likely swine flu cases, only the CDC has the ability to confirm the cases. Engel said the materials needed to confirm the swine flu within the state would arrive soon and that investigators hoped to be able to conduct their own tests in Raleigh by the weekend.

Lab testers are now working around the clock, Engel said, noting that they’ve received 235 samples to date, with 108 coming in on Thursday. He said 100 cases have tested negative for swine flu.

Engel said the state has received some of its federal allotment of antivirals and other supplies. He said residents should be reassured the state is prepared for this type of virus.

“It’s been in our playbook for five years, but we’ve practiced many of these components with real-time exercises both at the state and the local level,” Engel said. “We have a plan. We’re activating that plan, and we’re marching to it.”

Authorities have confirmed nearly 100 swine flu cases, including several in South Carolina, across the country. The swine flu is suspected in 168 deaths in Mexico and the death of one child from Mexico who died in Texas.

<p>RALEIGH  There are two probable cases of swine flu in North Carolina, the state’s health director said Thursday as more than 100 new specimens poured into the lab for testing. The probable cases came from Onslow and Wake counties, according to the state health department.</p><p>Meanwhile, Henderson County officials continued behind the scenes preparation for an influenza pandemic. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the influenza pandemic alert level to Phase 5, meaning a pandemic is imminent. </p><p>We are responding to concerns on the international, national and state level, and we are in a heightened state of awareness locally, said Linda Weldon, RN, communicable disease supervisor at the Henderson County Department of Public Health. We are continuing to meet and consult with local health care providers to identify possible cases in the county. </p><p>The CDC’s case definition of H1N1 flu (swine flu) includes travel to a country or state with confirmed cases or contact with someone who is infected with H1N1 flu. </p><p>A person with respiratory symptoms doesn’t meet the case definition unless they also meet the travel criteria or have been exposed to someone with H1N1 flu, said Weldon. We’re in the middle of allergy season and having the sniffles isn’t a cause for alarm. </p><p>The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include fever (greater than 100°F), sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, head and body aches, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Severe illness, including pneumonia and respiratory failure and deaths, has been reported with H1N1 flu infection. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. People who have flu-like symptoms should not go to emergency departments or doctor’s offices just for testing. They should call their physician first to ask for advice. This will reduce the chances for transmission in health care settings. </p><h3>Specimens sent for testing</h3>
<p>North Carolina State Health Director Dr. Jeffrey Engel said the specimens from the Onslow and Wake counties have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which could confirm the cases in the coming days.</p><p>We’re in for a marathon here, Engel said.</p><p>Engel told reporters the patient in Onslow County recently traveled to Texas. He did not have any information on the Wake County case, except to say the person was a traveler who did not live in North Carolina.</p><p>While state labs have the ability to determine whether nasal swabs from patients are likely swine flu cases, only the CDC has the ability to confirm the cases. Engel said the materials needed to confirm the swine flu within the state would arrive soon and that investigators hoped to be able to conduct their own tests in Raleigh by the weekend.</p><p>Lab testers are now working around the clock, Engel said, noting that they’ve received 235 samples to date, with 108 coming in on Thursday. He said 100 cases have tested negative for swine flu.</p><p>Engel said the state has received some of its federal allotment of antivirals and other supplies. He said residents should be reassured the state is prepared for this type of virus.</p><p>It’s been in our playbook for five years, but we’ve practiced many of these components with real-time exercises both at the state and the local level, Engel said. We have a plan. We’re activating that plan, and we’re marching to it. </p><p>Authorities have confirmed nearly 100 swine flu cases, including several in South Carolina, across the country. The swine flu is suspected in 168 deaths in Mexico and the death of one child from Mexico who died in Texas.</p>